SL Travis Benjamin of Miami ~ 5.10/175
~ Zimbio ~
"Benjamin has been a big-play threat for the Hurricanes over the years. Initially an electric return specialist only, he eventually became an effective pass-catching option. He is undersized but shows speed to get past safeties, and the route-running savvy to outwork corners and separate from them to make plays on the ball.
He will be somewhat limited in his transition to the NFL due to his size, but there are many receivers of his stature that have shown the ability to overcome this at the next level. Benjamin has third- to fourth-round value due to his speed, ability to separate and experience as a returner.
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Strengths: Benjamin is a good route runner and understands how to get open at the top of routes and use his explosive movements to his advantage. As a returner, he is a "one cut and go" runner who can break for daylight.
The key to his game as a receiver is his ability to get open, and he doesn't shy away from contact despite his stature. He will be a true deep threat at the next level who runs crisp intermediate routes, as well, and can be productive if he gets off the line of scrimmage.
Weaknesses: Benjamin is extremely undersized and bases his entire game around his speed and quickness. He has a hard time getting off the line of scrimmage if not given a free release. He lacks the strength or size to recover if jammed by a more physical receiver. Benjamin has also struggled throughout his career to create any production in traffic.
His preference is to be outside on the perimeter, away from contact, which could be his Achilles heel if moved into the slot."
He will be somewhat limited in his transition to the NFL due to his size, but there are many receivers of his stature that have shown the ability to overcome this at the next level. Benjamin has third- to fourth-round value due to his speed, ability to separate and experience as a returner.
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The key to his game as a receiver is his ability to get open, and he doesn't shy away from contact despite his stature. He will be a true deep threat at the next level who runs crisp intermediate routes, as well, and can be productive if he gets off the line of scrimmage.
His preference is to be outside on the perimeter, away from contact, which could be his Achilles heel if moved into the slot."
"An explosive track star who is one of the ACC's top 60-meter sprinters. Possesses a track star build, as he's narrow through the hips and lacks much girth to his frame. However, he possesses an electric first step off the line, gets up to top end speed quickly and has the ability to instantly eat up the cushion.
Is a consistent vertical threat who tracks the football well, adjusts to the throw and can go up and make a play when he needs to. Is fluid in the hips as well and exhibits good coordination when running vertical routes. Sells his shoulder fake well, puts his foot in the ground and can accelerate with ease toward daylight.
Also, he exhibits some savvy when trying to beat press coverage off the line. Isn't the most physical of receivers, but does a nice job using his suddenness and slight wiggle to get a corner leaning the wrong way and then just explodes past him down the field.
Is still developing as a route runner and will glide his way into his inward breaking routes. Can be sharp in and out of his breaks underneath, but will slow his feet before his breaks, allowing defenders to drive on the route. Has the fluidity and footwork to improve and is a hard worker, but needs to become a more consistent route runner.
However, to his credit, he has a great feel of getting corners to open up their hips in order to turn and run and snapping off a route under them. Corners are legitimately fearful of his vertical speed and he knows how to get on their hip and then snap the comeback or out route off cleanly and adjust to the throw.
Can pluck the football and adjust to ball off his frame and exhibits good balance and hand eye coordination, but at times just loses concentration and will put the ball on the ground. He's dangerous after the catch, is fluid, quick footed and can make a defender miss and out pace them toward daylight.
Is one of the better return men in the NCAA and should be able to earn a starter role on special teams in the NFL.
Impression: A typical Miami type athlete who has all the tools needs to make plays at the next level. Has a little DeSean Jackson and Titus Young to his game and if he continues to mature could end up playing a similar type role."
Is a consistent vertical threat who tracks the football well, adjusts to the throw and can go up and make a play when he needs to. Is fluid in the hips as well and exhibits good coordination when running vertical routes. Sells his shoulder fake well, puts his foot in the ground and can accelerate with ease toward daylight.
Also, he exhibits some savvy when trying to beat press coverage off the line. Isn't the most physical of receivers, but does a nice job using his suddenness and slight wiggle to get a corner leaning the wrong way and then just explodes past him down the field.
Is still developing as a route runner and will glide his way into his inward breaking routes. Can be sharp in and out of his breaks underneath, but will slow his feet before his breaks, allowing defenders to drive on the route. Has the fluidity and footwork to improve and is a hard worker, but needs to become a more consistent route runner.
However, to his credit, he has a great feel of getting corners to open up their hips in order to turn and run and snapping off a route under them. Corners are legitimately fearful of his vertical speed and he knows how to get on their hip and then snap the comeback or out route off cleanly and adjust to the throw.
Can pluck the football and adjust to ball off his frame and exhibits good balance and hand eye coordination, but at times just loses concentration and will put the ball on the ground. He's dangerous after the catch, is fluid, quick footed and can make a defender miss and out pace them toward daylight.
Is one of the better return men in the NCAA and should be able to earn a starter role on special teams in the NFL.
Impression: A typical Miami type athlete who has all the tools needs to make plays at the next level. Has a little DeSean Jackson and Titus Young to his game and if he continues to mature could end up playing a similar type role."
"Small-framed, tight-skinned, naturally athletic, finesse receiver and punt returner with track speed to singe the top of a defense and explosive run-after-catch, open-field ability.
Tracks very well over his shoulder and has good hands but is prone to concentration lapses/drops.
Route running needs refinement (doesn’t create consistent separation) and physicality is limited — too easily knocked off his route, is not a strong tackle breaker and is an underpowered blocker.
Smart, coachable, perimeter player and impact punt returner whose speed is his best asset."
Tracks very well over his shoulder and has good hands but is prone to concentration lapses/drops.
Route running needs refinement (doesn’t create consistent separation) and physicality is limited — too easily knocked off his route, is not a strong tackle breaker and is an underpowered blocker.
Smart, coachable, perimeter player and impact punt returner whose speed is his best asset."
"Big-play threat with legitimate track speed; runs sprints for the UM track team with a PB of 10.4 in the 100M; has averaged almost 17 yards per catch during his career; had 43 catches last fall; dangerous with the ball in his hands after the catch;
While improving his skills, he’s still essentially a track guy playing football who doesn’t catch the ball all that well and drives coaches crazy with physical and mentor errors; he’s also not that big or physical and struggles at times to get off the line of scrimmage and isn’t going to win many jump balls."
While improving his skills, he’s still essentially a track guy playing football who doesn’t catch the ball all that well and drives coaches crazy with physical and mentor errors; he’s also not that big or physical and struggles at times to get off the line of scrimmage and isn’t going to win many jump balls."
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